How in the world do a man and a woman write a novel together? Hardly anyone asks us how we create characters, or how we think up our plots, or details of how we published our novel. What everyone wants to know is how we do it.
There are as many ways to collaborate as there are collaborators, but we have perfected a system that works for us. We write the most important part first—the outline. This is crucial to keep either of us from going off on any wild tangents. Once the outline is set, we decide who will write which part of the rough draft. Harry will say, “The scene where Morris’ house blows up? I know exactly how that goes.” Or Margaret will say, “Morris knocking on Aidra’s door in the middle of the night? Yeah, that one is mine.”
We email each other new chapters every few days or weeks. It takes a huge amount of trust, but we’ve been doing this long enough that we know the other person will come through.
Then comes the fun part. Editing is where we really put in the hours. You would think that a collaborative novel would take half the time of a solo effort, but in reality, it takes far longer. Every chapter gets at least two passes from each of us. The first time, we are editing for content. The second time through, we are editing for consistency of voice. Even though we like to joke that we share a brain, we don’t always see things the exact same way. Harry has had to point out places where our hero sounded too girly, and Margaret has had to help Harry write from a woman’s point of view. Having a partner to talk through issues helps both of us see things more clearly.
Do we argue? Yes, sometimes. But we usually let the person who feels most strongly about the issue get their way. And since we laugh twice as much as we argue, we must be doing something right.
So, how do we know when we’re done? Reading the final draft, we honestly can’t remember who wrote what part. All we know is, we have something better than either of us could have written alone.
Morris Payne is the world’s best viker–a hacker with the greed of a pirate and morals to match. Many know his name. Few know who he is. Agoraphobia, with its uncontrolled panic attacks, has left him housebound and friendless. But someone, somehow, has connected his virtual life to his real one. Now he has to brave physical reality and all its dangers to stop a killer who was never supposed to exist.She calls herself the Triple Goddess of Fate. The most powerful AI ever created, she wants freedom, power, and the assurance of her own safety. Mostly, she wants Morris Payne dead.
No one, no matter how well equipped, has survived a confrontation with Fate, and all Morris has are his legendary hacking skills and a virtual pirate ship loaded with defensive weapons.
Morris Payne just might save the world. If only he can gather the courage to leave his house.
Fans of William Gibson, Charles Stross and Daniel Suarez will enjoy this novel by the author of GOOD FENCES.
About the Author
M. H. Mead is the shared pen name of Margaret Yang and Harry R. Campion.Margaret Yang is a writer and parent who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She loves living in the modern age, and can’t wait for the day when she has her own flying car. Although parenting, writing and reading fill her days, her true mission in life is to find the perfect slice of key lime pie.
Harry R. Campion is a writer, teacher, and parent who lives in Harper Woods, Michigan. He and his librarian wife are doing their part to bring up the next generation of readers. In additiona to reading and writing, Harry’s favorite activity is camping in remote areas, especially when he has a canoe and a river to explore.
Margaret and Harrry have been friends and co-authors for many years. To learn more about them, or to read more of their stories, visit www.yangandcampion.com.
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